All That Jazz

If you have any comments or suggestions for the Palette, please send them along to Artpalette.mailbox@smgov.net.  Thanks!

Louis Van Taylor
Jazz on the Lawn
5:00 pm
Sunday, August 10
City Hall Front Lawn
1685 Main Street
310/458.8350

I know, I know, you've already gotten two e-mails on this event this week.  But just in case it slipped your mind - like the correct date slipped my mind earlier this week - I wanted to give one more quick reminder not to miss Louis Van Taylor's performance at Jazz on the Lawn this Sunday on the lawn in front of City Hall.  Everyone had so much fun last Sunday and it'd be a crime if you missed out on it!

Civic Auditorium 50th Birthday Community Celebration
6:00 pm (film starts at 8:00 pm)
Saturday, August 9
Santa Monica Civic Auditorium
1855 Main Street
310/458.8555

Who doesn't love birthdays?  The cake, the gifts, the hula dancers, live music and surf film... well, maybe this birthday party so traditional and old fashioned after all.  But can you think of a better way to celebrate?  On Saturday the community is coming together to celebrate the Civic's 50 magical years with fun, food, music, tours of the Civic, and at 8 pm an outdoor screening of the classic surf film The Endless Summer, with an introduction by the legendary filmmaker Bruce Brown himself.  There will also be live music from the Gary Mendell Quintet, hula by the Tropical Paradise Dancers of Orange County, and surf memorabilia from the Surfing Heritage Foundation.  It's all open to the public with free parking and admission.  A warm happy birthday to the building that may be 50 but is not over the hill by a long shot!

Virginia Avenue Project presents...
At the Tone
An Evening of Short Plays
Friday, Aug. 8 at 7:30 pm
and Saturday, Aug. 9 at 3:00 pm and 7:30 pm
Miles Playhouse
1130 Lincoln Blvd.
310/264.4224

Virginia Avenue Project will perform 8 short plays each session, as part of their One-On-One program.  This free afterschool program uses the performing arts to help kids living in the Pico neighborhood discover their full potential, as well as providing one-on-one mentoring and the opportunity for the youth to team up with professional writers and performers to create captivating plays.  Here are some amazing statistics for the youth participating in the Virginia Avenue Project programs: 
      100% graduate high school
      90% go on to college
      85% are the first in their family to attend college
Come out to support this fantastic cause and to see some entertaining short plays!  There is a $5 suggested donation, but it is pay-what-you-can.  Even just being there in the audience is a great way to support the kids and help give them a fulfilling experience this summer.  Call (310)264-4224 for reservations or more info. 

Plastic Hunks and Chunks
Emerging Artist Family Workshop
Saturday, August 9
10 am - noon
Santa Monica Museum of Art
2525 Michigan Ave.
310/586.6488

Bring along the family to this fun and intriguing workshop where artist Alison Joy Goldberg will guide you in constructing unique shapes and forms entirely out of recycled plastic.  Why?  Because "plastic is ubiquitous, colorful, practical, and way too disposable."  Cost is $10 for SMMoA members and $15 for non-members.  Ages 6 and up are welcome.  An RSVP is required.  Please RSVP to Asuka Hisa, SMMoA's Director of Education, at (310)586-6488 ext. 118, or to asuka.hisa@smmoa.org.  You'll never look at a hunk of plastic the same way again!

Poetry Evening
Church in Ocean Park Saturday Evening Poetry Series
Saturday, August 9
7:30 pm
Church in Ocean Park
235 Hill St.
310/828.3951

The Church in Ocean Park is hosting poets Kathleen Tyler, author of two books - My Florida and The Secret Box - and Jawanza Dumisani, director of the Aansi Poetry Workshop at the World Stage and author of "Stoetry."  There will also be an open mic reading.  Admission is pay-what-you-can ($5 - $15, but nobody will be turned away for lack of funds).